The Clari. January/February Our purpose: To love the Lord, love one another, and make disciples for Jesus

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1 The Clari n January/February 2018 Our purpose: To love the Lord, love one another, and make disciples for Jesus From the Pastor s Desk: As we enter a new year I am reminded that we are all on the same journey. May God lead us in all things that we may arrive safely to our destination. A Friend shared this article with me some time ago, a great example of God`s peace. The Trip Home A pastor had been on a long flight between church conferences. The first warning of the approaching problems came when the sign on the airplane flashed on: *Fasten Your Seat Belts* Then, after a while, a calm voice said, "We shall not be serving the beverages at this time as we are expecting a little turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened." As the pastor looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the passengers were becoming apprehensive. Later, the voice on the intercom said, "We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal at this time. The turbulence is still ahead of us." And then the storm broke... The ominous cracks of thunder could be heard even above the roar of the engines. Lightning lit up the darkening skies, and within moments that great plane was like a cork tossed around on a celestial ocean. One moment the airplane was lifted on terrific currents of air; the next, it dropped as if it were about to crash. The pastor confessed that he shared the discomfort and fear of those around him. He said, "As I looked around the plane, I could see that nearly all the passengers were upset and alarmed. Some were praying. The future seemed ominous and many were wondering if they would make it through the storm. "Then, I suddenly saw a little girl. Apparently, the storm meant nothing to her. She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat; she was reading a book and everything within her small world was calm and orderly. "Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again; then she would straighten her legs, but worry and fear were not in her world. "When the plane was being buffeted by the terrible storm when it lurched this way and that, as it rose and fell with frightening severity, when all the adults were scared half to death, that marvelous child was completely composed and unafraid." The minister could hardly believe his eyes. It was not surprising, therefore, that when the plane finally reached its destination and all the passengers were hurrying to disembark, our pastor lingered to speak to the girl whom he had watched for such a long time. Having commented on the storm and the behavior of the plane, he asked why she had not been afraid. The child replied, "Cause my Daddy's the pilot, and he's taking me home." Physical, mental, financial, domestic, and many other storms can easily and quickly darken our skies and throw our plane into apparently uncontrollable movement. We have all known such times, and let us be honest and confess, it is much easier to be at rest when our feet are on the ground than when we are being tossed about a darkened sky. Let us remember: Our Father is the Pilot. He is in control and taking us home. Don't worry! See you next Sunday, Pastor Sturman 1

2 Spotlight on Missions Our purpose is to educate and provide opportunities for our congregation to support local and global missions. With the generous support of the congregation of Christ UMC, the Missions Committee has donated to the following organizations in 2017: Backpack Ministry Barnabas International Bibles for Troops Body of Christ Shelter Compassion International Doctors Without Borders Draught Victims Ethiopia Feed My People Gideons International Gospel For Asia GRACE Pantry HARP Hope Lodge Hospice of Guernsey County India Trip The Living Word Nationwide Children s Hospital One Mission Society Open Arms Pregnancy Center Operation Christmas Child Operation Finally Home Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief Red Carpet Healthcare Red Cross Save the Children Salvation Army Share & Care Samaritan Center Samaritan s Purse Secret Santa Southern Hills District St. Jude Children s Hospital Thanksgiving Baskets Well Project World Hunger World Vision FINANCIAL SECRETARY S CORNER If you received year-end tax statements in the past, Trudy Gibson has your 2017 report. If you ve never gotten a report before and would like to receive one, see Trudy or call her at

3 2018 SCHEDULE All committee chairs and anyone scheduling activities at the church: please submit a complete list of your meeting dates (including annual events) for 2018 to the church office as soon as you are able. Everyone needs to submit dates in advance so they can be added to the church calendar. OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD This year I have decided to share an article in each edition of The Clarion to help educate those who need a little help remembering what to do. After all, when something is done once a year, it can be a trial to remember details. Also, I will put what I am calling O.C.C. Tiny Tips in the bulletin monthly. If you have something specific you would like to know, contact me. Have you thought about gathering a friend or two (or three, etc.) and planning to pack a shoebox together? Perhaps, like me, you are retired and on a fixed income. It could be easier and more economical to shop together and share the $9 shipping cost. I am including a copy of the pamphlet, How to Pack Your Shoebox as a reminder. Also, you could plan to buy an item or two each month of 2018 to relieve the stress of shopping all at once. I will list items by the month below. Remember, the dollar stores are a great place to shop, and department stores put seasonal items on sale several times a year. January hats, gloves, and scarves February dental hygiene items-- toothbrushes are still a great item! No toothpaste March Quality crafts (homemade is great, too!) April Stuffed animals I am so excited to see how you use these tips. I am always so humbled by the response from this community. God smiles because you love children. This year I had the privilege to introduce my youngest great grandchild to packing a shoebox. Next year my goal is to do the same with the rest of them! Also, when our missionaries, the Orellanas, came to visit us in November, it just happened to be National Collection Week. Coincidence? I don t think so! They live in Ecuador and they visited with the team in the New Fellowship Hall for a couple of hours. The result was that they took copies of my instructions o learn how to pack shoeboxes from Ecuador. Can you believe it? Missionaries being missionaries! How good is God? Also, last week a young man who is a technician for Spectrum called me with a bunch of toys that the guys who work in Cambridge and Coshocton gathered as a competition and wanted to donate them to this ministry! He is my friend on Facebook and had seen my posts. IT was too late to send them this year, so he gave them to Secret Santa. I m sending him instructions so they can donate to our church next year. Did I tell you how blessed I get through this ministry? WOW!! Thank you for all you do. I receive the accolades, but you deserve them. God bless! O.C.C. Drop-Off Leader Samaritan s Purse Teena Vigus (740)

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5 January Happy Anniversary! January 1 January 16 January 17 Gene and Toni Hutchison Charles & Jean McMahon James & Fritzie Boggs January 20 January 26 Darwin & Joyce Pederson James & Alexa Dodd Jr. Happy Birthday! January 2 January 3 January 4 January 5 January 8 January 10 January 12 January 13 January 15 January 18 Jim Gibson Lisa Zaleski Shirley Milton Don Nicholson Aaron Todd John Adams Bridget Todd Joyce Bates Alexa Dodd Courtney Tipton Randy Mercer Don Wilson Philip Biddle Briana Wolverton February Happy Anniversary! February 13 February 14 February 18 February 20 Sam & Angie Masters Tyler & Katie Warne Sturman & Shirley Moore Jake & Dollie Bartos January 19 January 21 January 22 January 23 January 25 January 29 January 30 February 23 February 24 February 27 Joe Starr Sophia Blattner Jane Collart Sawyer Jones Mabel Leeper Josh Lincicome Cara Black Fritzie Boggs Shirley McCance Mike Warne Angie Hill Nancy Mansfield Dick Snyder Margaret Wagner Jerry & Jennifer Blattner Jim & Dixie Heddleson Tom & Dana Warne James & Laura Ripley Happy Birthday! February 2 February 3 February 5 February 7 February 9 Gladys Johnson James Kafury Davey Mosley Jennifer Pennington Kay Mikes Sue Thomas-Sikora John Michael Warne Anthony Walsh Jim Perkins Joan Picklesimer Martha Rice February 11 February 12 February 13 February 14 February 16 February 18 Rachel Wehr Hill Blakeleigh Wolverton Carmaleta McGaha Anjela Poole Sandra Snyder Danny Crawford Benjamin Crawford Gabriel Parrish Teena Vigus Allen Angel Britinai Smith February 20 February 21 February 23 February 26 February 27 February 28 February 29 Alexandria Fraley Clint McGaha Maurice Froment Lisa Neilson Michelle Pierce Amanda Biddle James A. Dodd Sr. Frieda Seidel Dwight Albaugh Bradley Gotschall 5

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8 The Shepherd s Guide Angela: Stella & Dot Representative. Stella & Dot offers women's and girls accessories and their products make great gifts. or and amhouserph@yahoo.com David Kissinger: Energy Consultant save money on gas and electric bills Tyler & Katie Warne: Car detailing, washing, waxing, oil change, small engine repairs. ~ Tim Todd: Wanted to buy: old toys, wooden skateboards, and slot cars. ~ Gary Parrish: Need a great gift idea Design Wood Crafts: Crosses, trivets wildlife designs. ~ Lisa Zaleski & Carolyn Walton: Mary Kay Representative & Touch of Romance - Floral arrangements and decorating for weddings, receptions, parties & more. References avail (Lisa) or (Carolyn). Mike Warne Jr: Computer repairs: Joyce Bates: Notary Public ~ Cindy Scheffer: Heaven Scent Confections ~ , Baking from home with Love; cookies, brownies, pies, cupcakes, buckeyes, etc. Baking 2 days weekly; taking orders of 1 dozen to????. Delivery to shut-ins. Amanda Cox: Nothing But Chocolate ~ Specialize in handmade chocolates including Buckeyes, Gourmet Apples and Gourmet Pretzel Rods Aaron Todd: Vocal Lessons ~ call if you are interested in taking vocal music lessons. Penny Warne: Penny-Mama s Daycare ~ Twenty+ years of loving your kids while you are at work. Dale Huston: Self Defense ~ Kachido Aikijitsu ~ Classes every Tuesday & The Fieldhouse in Zanesville. Self Defense classes for Children ages 7-12 from 5:15 6:15 p.m. Adult classes ages 13 & up from 6:30 8:30 p.m. For more information call: Kim Conrad: Tupperware Representative ~ Call or for your Tupperware needs. If you would like your name added to our list, please contact the church office at All articles for the March/April edition of The Clarion are due to the office by 9 am on February 23 rd. 8